TY  - JOUR
A1  - Fent, Thomas
A1  - Prskawetz, Alexia
A1  - Aparicio Diaz, Belinda
T1  - Family policies in the context of low fertility and social structure
Y1  - 2013/11/13
JF  - Demographic Research
JO  - Demographic Research
SN  - 1435-9871
SP  - 963
EP  - 998
DO  - 10.4054/DemRes.2013.29.37
VL  - 29
IS  - 37
UR  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol29/37/
L1  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol29/37/29-37.pdf
L2  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol29/37/29-37.pdf
L3  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol29/37/files/Animated%20Lexis%20diagram.mp4
N2  - Objective: In this paper we investigate the effectiveness of family policies in the context of the social
structure of a population. 

Methods: We use an agent-based model to analyse the impact of policies on individual fertility decisions and on fertility at the aggregate level. The crucial features of our model are the interactions between family policies and social structure, the agents’ heterogeneity, and the structure and influence of the social network. This modelling framework allows us to disentangle the direct effect (the alleviation of resource constraints) from the indirect effect (the diffusion of fertility intentions via social ties) of family policies. 

Results: Our results indicate that family policies have a positive and significant impact on fertility. In addition, the specific characteristics of the social network and social effects do not only relate to fertility, but also influence the effectiveness of family policies. 

Conclusions: Family policies can only be successful if they are designed to take into account the characteristics of the society in which they are implemented. 

ER  -